Naruto: Reborn as Kakuzu, the Immortal Assassin

(The chapter for 100 Power Stones)

When Raikage A shouted Kumogakure's bold declaration, the entire room fell silent. Raikage A found this strange. Hadn't he already agreed with Tsuchikage to support each other? He had even helped the Tsuchikage suppress Sunagakure earlier. So why wasn't Ishikawa backing him up now?

Tsuchikage Ishikawa lowered his head, his face reflecting an unprecedented awkwardness.

You want the Eight-Tails AND the Nine-Tails? Are you out of your mind?

Ishikawa felt like he had chosen the wrong ally. Asking for the Eight-Tails was already outrageous, but the Nine-Tails too? The Raikage was clearly an idiot who hadn't assessed the situation properly. And there was another crucial issue—if Kumogakure truly got the Nine-Tails, their power would surge dramatically, breaking the delicate balance between the villages.

Ishikawa couldn't afford that.

Raikage A didn't hear any response from the Tsuchikage. But he did hear another voice.

"What... did you just say?"

Raikage A turned his head, preparing to respond to Tobirama Senju. However, to his astonishment, Tobirama hadn't even spoken. Instead, he was staring at the Raikage with a peculiar expression.

The voice had come from Hashirama Senju, who was sitting next to Tobirama. Hashirama's fingers were rhythmically tapping on the table. Tap... tap... tap... The sound echoed through the room, like a death knell reverberating in the Raikage's chest.

Raikage A's eyelid twitched. A sudden wave of unease washed over him. But in that moment of hesitation, he showcased the "wisdom" of a Raikage.

He claimed that Kumogakure's borders, which neighbored Konohagakure in multiple areas, were frequently harassed by Konoha forces. If they couldn't hand over the Nine-Tails, maybe the Seven-Tails or Eight-Tails could suffice...

It had to be said—playing the victim and accusing others fit perfectly with the brawny but cunning style of Kumogakure's shinobi.

Kakuzu watched the Raikage with interest. This man had ambition far beyond his capabilities. Kakuzu bet that this kind of person was bound to meet a disastrous end someday.

...

One Day Later

The first Five Kage Summit finally concluded. The five Kage signed the "Peace Treaty," vowing not to initiate warfare against other villages unless their own was under direct threat.

In the Hokage Tower's lounge, Kakuzu sipped tea calmly. But the glint in his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil. His thoughts were focused on the allocation of tailed beasts during the summit.

Unlike others, Kakuzu's concerns stemmed from his unique circumstances. Each village planned to seal the tailed beasts into jinchūriki, turning them into "superweapons."

If only my Earth Grudge Fear could integrate life force... Kakuzu pondered. If I could transform the four hearts in my body into independent, mindless entities, could they become jinchūriki as well? Imagine summoning five tailed beasts in battle...

The mere thought sent a thrill through him, causing his hand to tremble slightly as he set down the teacup.

However, he quickly sobered. The basic requirement for his idea was a supply of living cells—a monumental obstacle in his path. To put it simply, he needed Hashirama's cells.

For years, Kakuzu had racked his brain, trying to figure out how to ask Hashirama for his cells without getting punched into oblivion. The challenge was immense. From a logical standpoint, Kakuzu and Hashirama had little connection.

Perhaps Tobirama... Kakuzu shuddered as his imagination conjured Tobirama strapping him to a lab table and dissecting him with surgical precision.

Just then, the door creaked open. Kakuzu immediately snapped out of his thoughts. He looked up to see Tobirama and Senju Momoka entering the room.

Tobirama sat down without a word, downing a cup of tea in one gulp. Momoka placed her sword beside her with a sharp clang and stomped her foot, her expression cold.

"I don't understand!" she fumed. "Why does the clan leader tolerate those barbarians so much?"

Momoka was visibly furious. Even though Kumogakure only received the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails in the end, their arrogant attitude had her itching to draw her blade.

Uncharacteristically, Tobirama offered no explanation. He simply continued sipping his tea, his thoughts his own.

Seeing this, Kakuzu chuckled faintly. From his pocket, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes.

"Want one?" he offered.

Tobirama's sharp eyes flicked over to him, a hint of disdain flashing in them. His aloof demeanor only made Kakuzu want to laugh more.

Without waiting for a response, Kakuzu stuck a cigarette in Tobirama's mouth and lit it for him.

Tobirama was a calculating and composed ninja, but even the most reserved person had limits. And judging by his current mood, Kakuzu figured a cigarette might just calm his nerves.

He then turned his attention to Momoka, who was still fuming.

"It's not that the Hokage is tolerating them," Kakuzu said, his tone casual. "It's that he's considering the bigger picture."

"What do you mean?" Momoka frowned, clearly puzzled.

Kakuzu lit a cigarette for himself, exhaling a faint trail of smoke as he spoke again.

"Kumogakure often has border skirmishes with Konohagakure. Yet, this time, they still handed over a tailed beast. That's bound to rub you the wrong way."

"It does," Senju Momoka admitted openly with a nod.

"So, let me ask you this—does the Senju clan still have old enemies from the Warring States period?"

"Well..." Momoka hesitated, thinking it over before nodding again. "Back then, things were complicated…"

During the Warring States period, the Senju clan's main rivals were the Uchiha clan. But they weren't the only ones. There were plenty of other clans that the Senju defeated, forcing them into retreat.

"The founding of the village marked a new era. Every clan was scrambling to join," she continued.

"But do you think clans that hold grudges against the Senju would willingly join Konoha?" Kakuzu's words made Momoka fall silent, her gaze growing contemplative.

It was undeniable. Those clans defeated by the Senju wouldn't just let go of their hatred. They wouldn't join Konoha. If they did, it would be a huge risk. Who's to say they weren't biding their time, waiting for the moment Konoha let its guard down to strike? That would be the most terrifying outcome.

The same logic applied to clans with grudges against other prominent families like the Sarutobi, Nara, Hyūga, or Uchiha. These clans wouldn't align themselves with Konoha either. Instead, they would find allies in nations with strained relations with Konoha—like Kumogakure.

Senju Momoka's bangs shifted slightly as she tilted her head. She wasn't slow-witted. She caught on quickly.

"I was too impatient," she admitted.

Hatred only begets more bloodshed and death. Kumogakure and Konoha might be at odds, but from another perspective, things might look different. Someone like Senju Hashirama, with his boundless compassion, was willing to sacrifice himself if it meant the warring sides could put aside their enmity.

But for one man, even someone like Hashirama, to try and resolve all the hatred in the shinobi world? It was far too ambitious, almost insignificant in the grand scheme of things. His vision of universal love was too idealistic, too distant. Even so, he kept trying, step by step.

The shinobi and villagers of Kumogakure were also people living on this continent. If Kumogakure were ever destroyed, its people would be left homeless, forced to band together as clans for survival, plunging the world back into the endless slaughter of the Warring States period.

This was why there was no "Susanoo-armored Buddha" wiping out four nations in one fell swoop. Because Hashirama wouldn't allow it. Killing only breeds more killing.

"Is there no way to end this cycle?" Momoka asked a new question.

"There is," Tobirama replied. Holding a cigarette between his middle and thumb, he tapped off the ash with his index finger, the ease of his movements betraying his long familiarity with smoking.

"But it will take time to erode the hatred."

Unlike Hashirama, Tobirama didn't have boundless compassion or love for all. But his vision was sharp, extending far into the future. He understood that true peace was unlikely to be achieved in their generation.

As for the so-called 'peace treaties'?

He chuckled softly. "They're nothing but scraps of paper."

Kakuzu chuckled as well. "True. Besides time, what's needed is an opportunity."

"What kind of opportunity?" Tobirama paused mid-motion, his cigarette held still as he turned to look at Kakuzu.

"An event that forces the world to unite," Kakuzu replied simply.

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